Digital dentistry
Same-Day Crowns & CAD/CAM
Follow the scan → design → mill → fit workflow for an in-office restoration.
What it does
CAD/CAM means computer-aided design and manufacturing. In a suitable case, an office with the necessary equipment can design and mill a restoration during one appointment. CEREC is one commercial system, not the name of every digital crown.
Explore the source material ↗Inside a digital dental office
See the software. Watch the tooth take shape.
Go beyond the finished smile: explore the design screen, the manufacturing equipment and the hands-on finishing work.
From a ceramic block to a finished crown
Dentsply Sirona · Manufacturer demonstration
Connects to Dentsply Sirona only when you choose to load.From a ceramic block to a finished crown
The CEREC Tessera concept and workflow video follows ceramic grinding in Primemill, then staining, glazing and firing with SpeedFire. This is milling a block, a different process from printing resin.
Manufacturer demonstrations may contain promotional claims and clinical footage. They show particular systems, not proof that one treatment is best. Videos are hosted by their publishers; availability and captions may vary. If a player is blocked, use the direct link. Loading a video shares connection information with the host, which may use cookies. Privacy notice.
What changes from the traditional approach?
For a crown, these are two possible paths. Dental labs also use scanners, design software, mills and printers.
| Stage | Impression & lab route | Digital office route |
|---|---|---|
| Record the teeth | A tray holds impression material around the teeth. | A handheld scanner builds a 3D surface model on screen. |
| Design & make | A lab makes the restoration; it may use digital equipment too. | Software designs the shape. A compatible mill or printer makes it. |
| Visits | A temporary crown is commonly worn between preparation and fitting. | Some suitable cases can be finished in one visit, avoiding an interim temporary crown. |
| Fit & follow-up | The dentist checks fit, appearance and bite before securing the crown. | The same clinical checks and ongoing care still matter. |
Fewer appointments can be convenient. The best material and workflow still depend on the tooth, bite and case—not simply which machine is available. Read Cleveland Clinic’s crown overview ↗
The software behind the restoration
These examples handle different jobs. An office may use one system or connect several; a digital design still needs professional evaluation.
exocad ChairsideCAD
Works with a digital model to design restorations for manufacture in the office or through a lab.
See the software ↗SprintRay AI Studio
Turns scan files into a proposed design, with tools to review and adjust it before sending it to a compatible printer.
Explore the design steps ↗Formlabs PreForm
Prepares a designed restoration for printing, including its position and supports. The manufacturer’s illustrated guide also shows cleaning and finishing.
See the manufacturing screenshots ↗CEREC
Connects digital impressions and restoration design with milling. The selected ceramic then follows its required finishing and firing process.
Explore the CEREC workflow ↗Printing and milling are different
Milling cuts a restoration from a solid block. Resin printing builds it in layers, followed by cleaning and post-curing. A printable material may be intended for a model, temporary restoration or specific definitive restoration; those uses are not interchangeable. Ask which material is proposed and what evidence supports its use in your case.
FDA: how medical devices are 3D printed ↗Examples are educational, not endorsements or partnerships. Equipment, software versions and permitted uses differ by practice and country. Videos and source pages checked September 9, 2026.
What usually happens
The sequence and number of visits depend on the individual case.
Scan
After tooth preparation, a digital impression records the shape needed for the restoration.
Design
The clinician uses software to design the restoration and its contact with nearby teeth.
Mill and finish
A machine shapes it from a material block; finishing and any required firing depend on the material.
Try in and attach
The dentist checks the restoration clinically before bonding or cementing it.
Benefits, limits & trade-offs
Same-day treatment is not appropriate for every tooth. Milling removes material from a block; 3D printing builds material in layers. They are different manufacturing methods.
Watch & explore further
Open the publisher’s page for videos, animations or more detailed reading.
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Questions for your dentist
- Can you complete my particular restoration in one visit?
- Will it be milled or printed, and from what material?
- What is the plan if it needs a laboratory or a remake?
Take the next step
Look for offices offering this care
Search for same-day crowns & cad/cam in your area, then confirm the service with the office.
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Before you book
- Confirm that the office offers the specific procedure or technology you want to discuss.
- Ask who performs the treatment and about their relevant training and experience.
- Discuss whether it suits your situation, alternatives, the total fee and follow-up care.